Sustainability books to read

With sustainability at the core of what we create, thought we'd provide you with the tools to become a change maker. So, If you want to go change the world or simply learn a bit more about your environmental footprint and the changes you can make, here are a few good reads to get into

Wear no evil - How to change the world with your wardrobe - Greta Egan 

The  Human Age - The world shaped by us - Design for Asun Dan Le (Braungart)

Over dressed - The shockingly high cost of cheap fashion - Elizabeth L. Cline

Organic Cotton Dress

Fashionopolis - The price of fast fashion and the future of clothes - Duna Thomas

Live Green - 52 Steps for a more sustainable life - Jen Chillingsworth

Or, if you are looking for fiction we found these books to enjoy!

The Testaments Margret Atwood

City of Girls, Elizabeth Gilbert

Cross fire - Noughts and Crosses, Malorie Blackman

Sincerely Madia & Matilda 

Things to do in - Victoria, Islington, Dalston & Peckham

If you have been following our escapades on social media, you will have seen us pop up in secret locations around London this month. 

As it is fashion week, we wanted to showcase the best of our sustainable fashion range while meeting and exploring with the city. Therefore we have complied this guide to London's best kept secrets and as it is half term, why not check it out for your self. 

Peckham 
Packed with great restaurants, bars and things to do, we visited Peckham levels - a fantastic community hub jam packed with events, Sip on cocktails and eat an array of foods all while gazing at the London skyline at Near and Far bar in Peckham Levels 

The Prince of Peckham is also a must visit for culture, community and good food or you could explore Peckham’s cultural quarter at Copeland Park and Bussey Building or catch a movie at the Peckhamplex 

Our designer Shalize regularly visits and knows the area well and recommends Bellenden Road for eating, drinking and shopping with cute little vintage shops & independent boutiques it's a good Saturday out on the high st.

One great pit stop along Bellenden road is the Begging bowl a Japanese restaurant for the foodie obsessed for independent boutiques this street is brimming with cool stores to visit.

Islington / Victoria 
In a prime location between the hustle and bustle of central London and the affluent suburbs of north London, Islington is a shopping hive of activity, dining and drinking options, Islington is not just for the Socialist.With a vibrant arts scene and big-name theatres and clubs. Check out our picks for the best things to do and see in Islington. 

Browse in Camden Passage If you are after a flat white in funky café Drink, Shop & Do, a cafe and moonlights as a hip bar running quirky craft and disco events is the perfect pitstop.

Shop at the Farmers Market Islington Farmers’ Market is the place to go for fresh seasonal produce. Open every Sunday from 10am to 2pm, the market sells everything from cakes to fresh pasta and fruit and veg and even flowers 

Visit the Theatre 
Almeida is a small local theatre that’s made a big impact on London’s performing arts scene. Open since 1980, this theatre puts on a variety of drama productions, ranging from classics such as Orwell’s 1984 and Shakespeare’s Hamlet to new productions by contemporary playwrights. 325-seat theatre, shows most plays in London’s West End. 

Looking for a laugh, Angel Comedy Club 
Currently hosted between two venues. The Camden Head, which hosts Angel Comedy Raw. It’s a free night featuring a mixed bill of new and established acts. The Hen & Chickens Theatre Bar.. It shows fringe theatre, stand up and even TV sitcom and sketch show read throughs. There’s also occasional Edinburgh previews and improv nights. 

Aesop store is a must, the aromas that come from this store are out of this world. Beautiful moisturizer and fragrances teas, if you are a beauty guru this will be up your street. 

Visit Upper st, which runs right through Islington as its main high st.

Our recent event at The Market Hall Victoria 

Market Hall Victoria 
The affordably priced Market hall Victoria is well worth a visit, we visited for an event at the Market hall. (see the pictures above) Just a stones-throw away is Wicked, which if you were planning a trip you could catch in the theatre in Victoria


Dalston / Hackney
Draughts Board Games Bar A gamers dream! There are over one thousand games to play inside Draught’s most recent bar, which has relocated from its former Haggerston home, to this grade-II listed space. Expect delicious cocktails, and even more tasty food in this stylish bar Find it at 41 Kingsland High Street, E8 2JS. 

Rio Cinema One of the few independent Art Deco cinemas in London, It mostly shows foreign and indie films, although you might catch a mainstream movie every once in a while. The architecture is beautiful, the auditorium boasts plush red velvet seats and the classic, long red curtains reveal the screen before the movie begins. See what’s on here. Find it at 107 Kingsland High Street, E8 2PB. 


ABQ Saint Pizzeria - a hidden gem of a restaurant, full of little quirks, with vegan pizzeria's or create your own cocktails whilst seated in a 'breaking bad' van or chill out in the restaurant with friends; we visited for one of our secret events in fashion week. Check out our social channels for further details or see the pictures below. 18 Bohemia Pl, London E8 1DU

Fernada Dassoler  in our Robyn Dress

Andreza Fisher in our Kiera Top & Jenna trouser at ABQ Vegan Pizzeria

Tina we salute you, a  coffee shop, with a large table right in the centre of its room with walls covered in art and most definitely the best restaurant name 47 King Henry’s Walk, London, N1 4NH 

Fair trade coffee and great selection of homemade cakes, a busy spot at weekends, with locals crowded around the big communal table and or sit on its window seats. (if you can find a spot)

Vortex Jazz Club and Servant Jazz Quarters are the two best places in the area
The former - has a  host of wide-reaching gig. The latter - is a similar venue, with a great bar upstairs and often with artists who, in a year or so’s time, will be some of the most talked about names on the scene.

The Arcola Theatre is the place to go for an intriguingly mix of productions, produced by emerging playwrights from the local area as well far more established names. showcasing new plays in an intimate the main auditorium the experience is fantastic.

If you are looking for an art fix The Invisible Line Gallery, is good to see the best work by local artists. Its exhibitions are varied in taste and there is always something different 

Credits
https://www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/peckham-london-area-guide

https://theculturetrip.com/europe/united-kingdom/england/london/articles/best-things-see-peckham-london/

https://londoncheapo.com/food-and-drink/things-to-do-islington/


https://www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/islington-area-guide

https://spotahome.com/blog/spotahome-neighbourhood-guide-best-things-to-do-in-dalston-london/
https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/attractions/things-to-do-dalston-best-restaurants-bars-pubs-turkish-a4009541.html

https://secretldn.com/reasons-to-visit-dalston/

Sincerely Madia & Matilda 

Valentine’s Day or Valentines Weekend

Valentine’s Day or valentines weekend

If you are celebrating Valentine’s Day or valentines weekend, we have complied some stress free as well as eco-friendly things to do and gifts

Gifts to love 

Though this day is not all about gifting, we love the little things that can make this day feel extra warm and fuzzy. Below are gift ideas that are purposeful, conscious, and ethically made. Finding the perfect present for your loved ones can be tricky. Luckily we’re here to help you find the ideal gift for your partner this Valentine’s Day! Discover gorgeous, handcrafted Ethical Jewellery you definitely won’t find on the high street. 

Revitalising - Beauty Booster

Quote - Art Frame

Jewellery - Slate-Home 

 Shared moment a special moment with these gifts, 

Jewellery slate plate or photo frames that you can personalize; to Shop our gifts see here 

Things to wear 

 No matter how you celebrate V-day, is a sweet excuse to share with your partner, wear red & pink, self care or treat yourself or to celebrate the close friends in your life that fill your heart. Here are some outfits we have selected that you might love

Lelia Blouse & Lori Blouse 

Amara - Sheer Dress

Going out style - Sara Dress or Emeli Blouse

Amelia - Strap Dress

Sincerely Madia & Matilda 

Spring Collection - Sustainable Methods

Our Spring 20 range is here, using dead stock and left over materials, our New but old ranges show how sustainable fashion can be timeless, chic and effortless. Encapsulating beautiful world of sustainable fashion, is more than just a journey. When you by from us you are supporting a community of local crafts, instead of buying into throwaway fashion and damaging the planet. Therefore our team have selected their top 3 looks to take you from work, causal day dressing to night

The first item of choice, which we usually turn to has to be this effortless dress, which is ideal dressing down, yet equally add a pair of heels to elevate your style for the new year. The denim skirt at a midi lengths, these styles manage to be effortless yet high-impact and can create chic trans-seasonal looks by layering denim with smart blouses. Check out our new arrivals for futher details

Dina - Lace Blouse

Delicate embellishments, Linen or cotton blouses adorned with dainty flowers, unique yet subtle perfect pairing with linen trousers, for a smart casual style



All our clothing is vegan. Which is any garment that is made using non animal products or processes. Vegan clothing is a good for a sustainable wardrobe, however vegan clothing can include polyester and nylon, materials inherently included in a lot of fast fashion, yet we beleive that we are contributing to a more zero waste world by reusing materials.

In the furture we hope to stock more; plant based materials such as Tencel and
bamboo do not involve animal products or processes.

To find out more about our processes: see here

Sincerely Madia & Matilda

Our New Collection Arrives - 01.02,2020

Join us for our Secret Pop Up Shop in February

Christmas Cookies - Bakes To Love

Cookies make the perfect treat and of course no Christmas is complete with out milk & cookies. Therefore we have compiled a list of easy to bake cookies.. From, gooey American chocolate chip cookies to melty shortbread, we've got a biscuit selection to please everyone.






Ginger nut - Vegan Option


Super crunchy vegan gingersnap cookies. These brown sugar sweetened vegan cookies are packed with ginger and cinnamon flavor and perfectly balanced between sweetness and spice

Ingredients
1/4 cup (56g) Vegan Butter
1 cup (200g) Brown Sugar
1/4 cup (75g) Unsulphured Molasses
1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
2 cups (250g) All Purpose Flour
1 tsp Baking Soda
1/4 tsp Salt
2 tsp Ground Ginger
2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Allspice
1/4 tsp Ground Cloves
2–3 Tbsp Non-Dairy Milk
1/4 cup (50g) White Sugar (for rolling)

To cook:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).

Cream the vegan butter and brown sugar together and then add the molasses and vanilla extract.

Sift the flour into a bowl and add the baking soda, salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, allspice and cloves and mix together.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir in by hand until crumbly.
Add the 2 Tbsp non-dairy milk and mix. You should get a very thick cookie dough. However, if you still have crumbles and it’s not yet ‘sticking together’ then add another Tbsp non-dairy milk. Only do this if you really need it though.

Break off roughly tablespoon sized pieces and roll into balls and then roll the balls in white sugar. If you tend to make larger cookies, then you’ll need to bake them for a few minutes longer (around 15 minutes) to get them nice and crunchy.
Place the balls onto a parchment lined baking tray and press down with a fork.
You might want to do these in two batches so that your cookies are nicely spaced out on the baking tray.

Bake in the oven for 12 minutes. If you want more soft and chewy then bake for 10 minutes, if you want more snap/crunch then bake for 12 minutes. If your cookies are larger in size then bake for up to 15 minutes.

The cookies will be soft when they come out the oven. Allow to cool completely as that is when they will firm up and become crunchy




https://lovingitvegan.com/vegan-gingersnap-cookies/











Chocolate chip (that taste like Millies)

Ingredients
 
2 baking trays
125g Butter
125g Caster Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla extract 
225g Self-Raising Flour 
½ tsp Salt
200g Chocolate chips
1 Egg
Airtight container.


To cook:
Preheat the oven to 200°C, (fan 180°C, gas mark 4) and line 2 baking trays with baking parchment.

In a large bowl cream together the butter and sugars until pale and fluffy then add the egg and vanilla extract and mix together well.

Sift the flour and salt and then add to the egg mixture. Mixing thoroughly until a soft dough forms. Finally stir in the chocolate chips.

Break off walnut sized pieces of the dough, and roll into balls. Place these on the baking sheets leaving space between them as they will spread out during baking.

Place in the oven and bake for 7 minutes for the ultimate Millie's experience, or 10 minutes if you prefer a crunch. Leave to cool on the trays for about 10 minutes then transfer onto a cooling wire to cool completely.
These store for about 4 days in an airtight container.


If you love this recipe, https://www.bakingmad.com/recipe/copycat-millie-s-cookies










Shortbread


The key to making easy shortbread also taste like the best shortbread is to use real butter.

Some recipes do suggest that you can use margarine in place of butter but personally for me, the rich buttery taste of the real thing is what gives this shortbread a more traditional 

Ingredients:
300 g Flour
220 g Butter (Vegan Optional)
55g/2oz Caster Sugar

Flavour tip:
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1/2 tsp. Salt

Only 3 ingredients are needed to turn this into shortbread, in 10 minutes to oven to cook! but you can also add a few extras if you want to add to the taste

It’s important to make sure that the shortbread doesn’t cook for too long and turn brown. If it does, it’s cooked for too long, and will be a little hard to munch on; rather than soft and melt in your mouth loveliness.

Make sure the butter is at room temperature and soft to touch. If it is too hard it will too hard to cream in with the sugar. You can use an electric mixer if you want to, but if the butter is soft enough you’ll have no problem creaming it up with a wooden spoon.

Sift the flour into the creamed butter and sugar. (At this point you can add the vanilla extract and salt to add flavour) Gently mix it all together with your hands.

A soft dough should form. If it is too crumbly add a little more butter, conversely, if it is too sticky, add a little flour.
Press the dough into a greased baking tin and press it down with your hands. I like to gently score the slices of the shortbread, as well as use a fork to make some decorative holes on the surface before putting it in the oven.
Once the shortbread has been in for about 10 minutes, take it out – make sure it doesn’t go brown or it will be too hard. Slice up the shortbread while it is still warm and soft, leaving it in the baking tin until it is completely cool. I also sprinkle a little extra caster sugar over the top.



Or if your not a cookie fan and have hardly ever seen the rolling pin. We have discovered an independent, made to order Brownie Baker - Founded by Lydia Morison 

Check them out on instagram @browniebabes

Sincerely Madia & Matilda